I want to get a newer bike next year my CBR600FR is great, but she is not keeping up with a lot of the newer 600’s on the road.
I don’t want a newer 600, I like to have a bit of weight between my legs. I am really impressed by my CBR, but she is abit old and slow albeit she can and does take a bit of abuse from me. Inwould like to get a similar sports / sports tourer which is I feel the category she falls into (feel free to disagree).
Which Blade is best is probably really subjective, but I would like some back ground info on which blade is which, what power and engine size came in when and the like. I have searched cyber space for all that info but not really had my questions answered. I know that there are quite a few forum members with Blades, can any share thier good bad indifferent experiences with me ?
At present I am leaning towards a 95 model which I understand ahas the steel frame and would want one in the Urban Tiger paint job.
Dont know much about blades im afraid but check out this weeks MCN. The have a guide on the 92-94 blade (pg 30&31), which isnt the one your after i know but it would be useful to have the knowledge. All the best.
My girlfriend and I both have 2002-2003 954cc Blades. I bought mine (2002 white and blue) back in march and Jan had a go on it in the summer, rode most of the curent thou’s and bought the 2003 blade (red and black).
I think it’s a great bike and this is why I went for it. I had a 2000 cbr6 and wanted a bike that was newer, so on the blade front these were the options, 2000-2001 blade 929 cc, 2002-2003 954cc, and the 2005 1000cc.
The 929cc blade is nice but there are stories of the fuel injection being a bit harsh. I didn’t ride one so can’t confirm that. Anyway, I didn’t go for it.
The 954cc blade, the fueling had been sorted out and there are quiet a few improvement over the 929cc. The 954 is generally regarded as the last real blade. I like the way it looks and the under seat storage is increadible. When i took it out i’d only riden on other thou cc bike, sp2 and that was in the wet. I was blown away with it’s accleration but the most impressive thing about it was the brakes. Anyway, my mind was made up.
The 2005 onward blade, at the time I could afford it so didn’t go down that road at the time. I’ve since taken it out and it a really nice bike but I don’t think it’s that different from the 954 to warrant changing mine.
Well, that’s the story that got me to the 954 blade. I realise your not looking at any of them at the minute but you never know one might come up for you. All I know about the older blades is that they were fitted with a 16inch front wheel till a certain model and have a reputation for being a bit of a hand full. From people I’ve spoken to about them they are all really good bikes. I’m sure, which every you go for will put a smile on your face.
I had quite a few of those! If you are on a budget go for the 98/99 model which have loads of problems sorted. If you are lucky you will get a 17" front wheel!
I’ve heard that the 17" front wheel conversion doesn’t make any difference (for the average non super human rider) as the 16" wheel and tyre are the same circumference as the 17" wheel and tyre.
Cheers for all your views, I think that a good 95 blade with fox eyes and the urban tiger paint job is the best looking, as for the performance will probably ride her standard and on 16" front wheels with a steering damper until I get more used to her.
With any luck will try and pick her up round March April.
I will see what mods I can to do to keep up with the more modern bikes but I doubt that there will be many places I will be able to wind her out fully with out being either ever so arrested or dead so I will let every body pass me until about aug next year. By wqhich time I should have bedded in her second set of tyres and be ready for a bit of porsche baiting on the dual carriageways of north London, Buck, Herts and Beds.
Will keep you posted and hope to hear more of your views.
Thanks to Snap for the heads up re the article in MCN.
Apart from the 98-99 rrw rrx models that have different disc spacing and only take the vfr800 wheel…but…
as cezar says, 17" only really gives more tyre choice, there is no real need, neither of mine had steering dampers [rrt & rrw]
Having ridden them all, my choice would be a 954, avoid the 929. Suspension is the thing to improve, sorted, it will comfortably hassle almost anything, especially if you loost -1t on the front sprocket…
